VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA – January 12, 2011 – Sirona Biochem Corp. (TSX-V: SBM) (the “Company”), a biotechnology company specializing in carbohydrate-based molecules, including therapeutics for diabetes and obesity, announced today it has contracted Roowin to scale up a key intermediate for its lead diabetes drug candidate, a sodium glucose transporter (SGLT) inhibitor. Roowin is a privately owned Contract Research Organization (CRO) headquartered in Paris, France. Its core business is in high value-added fine chemistry. Roowin will bring expanded capabilities to Sirona Biochem’s research and help accelerate the preclinical development of its lead candidate for Type 2 diabetes.
“Recent positive preclinical data of our lead SGLT-2 inhibitor demonstrates that we are on the right track in developing a new Type 2 diabetes treatment and by scaling up this key intermediate we can speed up our preclinical process,” said Sirona Biochem President Mark Senner. “Further research will also be used to validate this proprietary chemistry technique and explore the possibilities of this exciting technology,” he added.
Sirona Biochem is developing sodium glucose transporter (SGLT) inhibitors in addition to other carbohydrate-based molecules. SGLT-2s are responsible for glucose reabsorption from the kidneys into the bloodstream. This process contributes to elevated levels of glucose in a person with Type 2 diabetes. SGLT-2 inhibitors reduce the excess glucose from entering the bloodstream by releasing the glucose into the urine and, as a result, may help control Type 2 diabetes. SGLT-2 inhibitors are carbohydrate-based molecules, which tend to be difficult to develop. Sirona Biochem applies an advanced chemistry method to stabilize and improve the properties of carbohydrate-based molecules, including our SGLT-2 inhibitor. With more than 220 million diabetics globally, the diabetes treatment market generated an estimated US$25 billion annually and is growing rapidly.
About Sirona Biochem Corp.
Sirona Biochem is a biotechnology company specializing in carbohydrate-based chemistry. Our lead product is a sodium glucose transporter (SGLT) inhibitor for Type 2 diabetes. With our partner TFChem of France, we are using a proprietary chemistry technique to improve the pharmaceutical qualities of these SGLT-2 inhibitors. It is our aim to develop a best-in-class diabetes treatment. In August 2010, Sirona Biochem announced it had signed a binding preliminary agreement to acquire France-based TFChem. For more information visit www.sironabiochem.com.
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
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For more information regarding this press release, contact:
Julie Jang
Director, Communications
Sirona Biochem Corp.
Phone: 604.641.4466 x273
Email: jjang@sironabiochem.com
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Sirona Biochem cautions you that statements included in this press release that are not a description of historical facts may be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are only predictions based upon current expectations and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of release of the relevant information, unless explicitly stated otherwise. Actual results, performance or achievement could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, Sirona Biochem’s forward-looking statements due to the risks and uncertainties inherent in Sirona Biochem’s business including, without limitation, statements about: the progress and timing of its clinical trials; difficulties or delays in development, testing, obtaining regulatory approval, producing and marketing its products; unexpected adverse side effects or inadequate therapeutic efficacy of its products that could delay or prevent product development or commercialization; the scope and validity of patent protection for its products; competition from other pharmaceutical or biotechnology companies; and its ability to obtain additional financing to support its operations. Sirona Biochem does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements except as required by law.